Jacob’s Creek – Wine Snobs Take Note!

Critics who slam major wine brands as ‘bland and boring’ have been dealt a blow by the Matthew Jukes 100 Best Australian Wines 2007 (announced last night), as the UK’s number one Aussie brand, Jacob’s Creek, took three places in the prestigious ranking. This is the fourth annual ‘hotlist’ produced by wine expert Matthew Jukes, at a time when sales of Australian wines are at an all-time high.

The 2005 Jacob’s Creek Shiraz, widely available in supermarkets at just £5.99, was put “in a lengthy line up with none other than Grange (priced at £150 a bottle). “It looked fabulous, glossy and downright delicious”, comments Jukes. Penfolds Grange is widely recognised as the pinnacle of Australian winemaking, comparable with the best wines from Bordeaux, and its 2002 vintage also won a place in the Top 100.

Two boutique wines made under the Jacob’s Creek label also made the cut – 2001 Jacob’s Creek Johann Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon (£34.99) and 2005 Jacob’s Creek Steingarten Riesling (£14.99) – proving the brand’s ability to impress even the most discerning wine connoisseur.

Adrian Atkinson, wine development director at Jacob’s Creek distributor Pernod Ricard UK, says, “Jacob’s Creek was and continues to be a pioneer of Australian wines in Britain, and it’s fantastic to have its quality recognised in this prestigious line-up. Jacob’s Creek is one of just three brands to secure more than two wines in the line-up, and the Shiraz is one of only six wines priced under £6 to be recognised in the Top 100.”

Tesco has recently announced that it is now stocking £100 wines, and Jacob’s Creek Steingarten will be listed in selected stores from August. Britons are spending more than ever on wine and sales of bottles costing more than £10 have risen 74% in the past two years.